STATUE, MBÉTÉ, GABON |

Statue, Mbété, Gabon

Collection Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958), Paris
Collection privée, France
Sotheby’s, Paris, 15 juin 2004, n° 168
Collection Lucien Van de Velde et Joanna Teunen, Anvers
Collection privée, Belgique

Good condition overall. The proper left leg is broken and glued, as is the front of the proper right foot. At the back, an open crack runs from the top of the headdress to the middle of the bottom. On the proper left side of the headdress are marks of white painting. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cette rare statue, dominée par la très belle géométrie des formes, peut vraisemblablement être rattachée à la statuaire des Mbété. On connaît en effet, à côté des grandes statues-reliquaires, certains exemples de statues de plus petites dimensions. Par son élégante stylisation, culminant dans l’ovale épuré de la face et dans le crantage soigneux de la coiffure, cette figure masculine s’apparente étroitement à un couple de statues ayant appartenu à Anatole France (cf. Sotheby’s, Amsterdam, The Robert and Angelique Noortman collection : paintings and works of art from Château de Groot Mot, 17 décembre 2007, n° 353).